“Go scrub” and the idea that a woman must accept harassment are just a few of the sexist comments women encounter while gaming online with others. Many players mute microphones and adopt neutral or masculine nicknames so they aren’t targeted after revealing who they are in online esports sessions.
A Lenovo company survey from 2021 found that 59% of players hide their gender to avoid harassment and discrimination, while 77% face unwanted behavior in play. About 70% are questioned about their skill, and 65% hear others tell them how to play. Almost half, 44%, receive intrusive questions about their personal relationships when they game. Actress Ana Oliveras notes, “This happens all the time, but we’ve learned to ignore it and not let it affect us.”
Many women leave the industry after ongoing harassment, causing their abilities to be less visible. They may stop playing or hide their identities, which reduces opportunities for women to pursue professional roles in gaming. The 2022 CIMA report on gender stereotypes and the drive for change in the video game industry supports this observation.
Ana Oliveras reveals her identity as soon as she enters a game. “Most people leave when they see a girl online, hoping to avoid the boredom of insults,” she explains. When women continue to play, even a good match can be colored by a belief that they aren’t competent. Laurita Chicle, a streamer with more than 58,000 followers on Twitch, has faced questions about gender and hostile comments when voices reveal her gender. Aggressive remarks such as “back to the kitchen” or “you’re good for a girl” are common in these exchanges.
different consumption
The latest data show more parity in overall gaming participation, with men at 53% and women at 47%. However, UB associate professor Maria-Jose Masanet cautions that this paints an incomplete picture. The share varies by genre, with broad, casual games like Candy Crush showing higher female participation, while hard core titles such as Valorant and GTA still skew toward male players. The broader landscape includes everyday simulation titles like The Sims and Animal Crossing alongside action-packed titles that dominate esports.
Research on adolescent digital gender gaps places average online play frequency at 2.5 for girls and 4.1 for boys, with similar gaps in social gaming when friends play together versus when they visit a friend’s house. Masanet notes that these disparities reflect deeply rooted stereotypes that shape how games are perceived and who is invited to participate.
New socialization areas
Anna Inigo, an information and communications researcher at UB, studies the manosphere and its impact on youth through the Transmedia Gender and LGBTI+ Literacy project. She collaborates with adolescents from UB’s Quatre Cantons institute, AEI Raval, and COS Pedagògium in Sant Boi de Llobregat. The manosphere comprises diverse online spaces that often host misogynistic discourse, including certain video sites, networks, and gaming communities.
Inigo explains that teens often echo insults while gaming with friends online. Her team observes that Discord and connected gaming experiences frequently feature pornographic content or material that ridicules women and girls. She describes these spaces as social arenas shaped by misogyny and reinforced by content created by some popular streamers and YouTubers.
masculinized places
When a woman stands out in masculinized gaming spaces, patriarchal norms can undermine her authority. As Inigo emphasizes, women in these spaces are often not taken seriously, and public scrutiny becomes a constant companion. She notes that physical appearance and gendered expectations are used to police women online, with women facing perpetual critique simply for being female.
“With a patriarchal point of view, every woman will always be the focus of criticism just because she is a girl.”
During her work, Inigo spoke with a male-identified player who used female avatars and noticed heightened exposure and harsher responses. When this person used a male avatar, he faced fewer insults and less aggressive flirting. The expert argues that it is unrealistic to expect an online space free of women, LGBTQ+ players, or anyone who challenges stereotypes. Creating safer environments for all players remains urgent, especially for those who wish to participate openly and without fear.
Small professional female presence
There has been a noticeable rise in women’s participation in gaming during the pandemic era, with Twitch and streaming drawing many new players. Yet, at a competitive level, visible progress is uneven. Valorant, for example, has drawn many female players, but professional representation remains limited. Oliveras points out that opportunity, not ability, often governs who gets signed into leagues. As a result, many women still face barriers to joining major esports circuits. Researchers also advocate for quotas to improve representation.
lack of regulation
Regulation to shield women from harassing comments is still lacking. While players can block or report abusive users, there is no universal verification to link online identities to real people. Laura Chicle recalls a two-year bullying episode where a man opened multiple accounts to avoid verification. The broader issue mirrors real-world inequality, with education and cultural change seen as essential steps toward healthier online environments. Education is urged as a foundational remedy, guiding both players and communities toward more respectful conduct.
Players recognize that online behavior often mirrors real-world dynamics. The gaming world cannot stay insulated from social issues; the game space should reflect modern equality values. The path forward involves ongoing education, stronger community norms, and practical steps to enable safe participation for all players, regardless of gender or identity. The aim is a gaming culture where everyone can compete with dignity and focus on skill rather than stereotypes. A studio or league that champions inclusion can reshape the experience for countless aspiring players and undermine long-standing biases. In the end, progress rests with collective effort and sustained commitment to change.